Mothers of Gynecology artist to display famed J. Marion Sims painting that fueled her work
The legacy of Dr. J. Marion Sims in Montgomery is hard for many to imagine.
Starting in 1845, the "father of modern gynecology" inflicted painful surgeries on at least three enslaved women — Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey — without their consent. There have been reports of many more unnamed Black women he experimented on. Because he believed Black women didn't feel pain the same as White women, he performed the surgeries without available anesthesia.
Likely, the closest we'll come to visualizing this horror these women faced is a 1952 painting by Robert Thom — "J. Marion Sims: Gynecologic Surgeon." Thanks to years of effort by Montgomery organizer, activist and artist Michelle Browder, the original painting will go on exhibit in Montgomery, beginning on Mother's Day weekend.
Activist and artist Michelle Browder is overcome with emotion as the 1952 painting J. Marion Sims: Gynecologic Surgeon arrives at the Mother of Gynecology Museum in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
More: J. Marion Sims: Career and honors built on torture in Alabama
"It shows J. Marion Sims in the backyard of the hospital in Montgomery, Alabama," Browder said. "I've been working for four and a half years to get this painting to Montgomery."
Thom found a way to illustrate the experiment without going into graphic detail. The painting shows Lucy kneeling on a table, a hand at her chest, as she stares into the eyes of J.M. Sims. Anarcha and Betsey peek around a curtain into the room, where two other men appear ready to assist the doctor.
"It's major," said Browder, who has spent years studying the painting and the story behind it.
As a 19-year-old college student, she first saw an image of it in postcard form on her professor's desk. While trying to find its origins, she discovered the story of Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey. That study has fueled her message as an artist and activist. It led her to create The Mothers of Gynecology Monument, 17 Mildred St., Montgomery.
Kevin King, founder and executive director of King's Canvas in Montgomery, said he's impressed that Browder acquired the painting.
"The work that she's doing is phenomenal," King said.
Three-day weekend is a fundraiser for a museum to open in 2026
Activist and artist Michelle Browder talks over plans for the Mother of Gynecology Museum in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Introducing the painting to the city where the surgeries took place is part of a three-day ticketed group of events that are fundraisers for the future Mothers Gynecology Clinical Museum, where the painting will reside in downtown Montgomery.
The weekend offers an early peek in the museum, which officially opens in 2026.
"People are coming from around the country to see (the painting)," Browder said.
It will be a focal point of the "Reclaiming Our Time" exhibit at the museum site, 33 S. Perry St. A facility at that site in the 1840s is where J.M. Sims conducted his experiments.
"There's a sign on the outside that talks about Sims," Browder said.
More: Michigan artist Robert Thom illustrated windows into history
The future museum site will also contain art by Browder, creator of The Mothers of Gynecology Monument (17 Mildred St.), and curated works by other artists.
Molly Gochman – An experiential artist and activist who invites viewers "to reflect on and participate in the experience of humanity."
Steve Ekpenisi – Known as 'The Iron Bender,' Ekpenisi crafts metal sculptures inspired by socio-economic and political realities, cultural traditions, and the richness of human beauty.
How long with the painting be in Montgomery?
Activist and artist Michelle Browder gets a first glance at the 1952 painting J. Marion Sims: Gynecologic Surgeon by Robert Thom at the Mother of Gynecology Museum in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, May 5, 2025. The painting will be on display as Browder continues to honor the enslaved women Anarcha, Betsy and Lucy the enslaved women Sims experimented on.
Elaine Sims — no relation to J.M. Sims — is director of Gifts of Art for University of Michigan where the painting has resided for years. She said there's not a fixed date for the painting to be in Montgomery, but that it will be on loan for at least a year.
"The way we do loans, we renew it year by year," Sims said.
Sims said the painting has been off public display in Michigan due to the controversy surrounding J.M. Sims.
"It's disturbing for some people," Sims said. "We used it for educational purposes. It was housed in our museum, and different classes would use it to talk about medical discrepancies."
Schedule of events for May 9-11
Friday, May 9:
Reception at the Mothers of Gynecology Monument, 17 Mildred St. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the reception is from 6-8 p.m. The evening includes a light dinner and live music.
Saturday, May 10:
10 a.m.–1 p.m: The Mothers of Gynecology Monument Tour — Visit the Alabama River site of the Montgomery Brawl before boarding a boat to Freedom Monument Park. Later, enjoy a light lunch at 'We Create Change Art Studio' with Browder.
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Tour of The Mothers of Gynecology Clinic — Experience the historic space where these horrific experiments happened to Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey.
6:30-9 p.m.: 'Broken Wings Still Fly' – A dinner theater experience — In collaboration with the Unknown Project, this stage production tells the stories of enslaved women through the lens of love, resilience, motherhood, and triumph. Held at the historic site where Sims conducted his experiments, this event will include traditional "slave food" including collard greens, black-eyed peas, and hoe cakes.
Sunday, May 11:
12:30-3:30 p.m 'Reclaiming Our Time' — The exhibit will officially unveil Thom's seldom seen painting.
The day will also include:
A program and guided tour of the future Mothers of Gynecology Clinical Museum.
Keynote address by Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available at anarchalucybetsey.org, and are available in the following options:
Full weekend experience — $125
Dinner theater performance only — $85
Unveiling ceremony only — $50
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Mothers of Gynecology: Sims painting going on exhibit in Montgomery
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